SPN 3x05 & 3x06
Jul. 5th, 2012 11:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gryfndor_godessWarning: This post contains the whimsical flailing of a tired mind and minor abuse of caps lock.
4x05: Monster Movie: OH MY GOSH, GUYS, THIS EPISODE WAS SO FANTASTIC!!!
At first I was put off by the black-and-white, because unless Lucille Ball is involved somehow, b&w usually gives me the heebie-jeebies, BUT THE EPISODE WAS SO WELL-WRITTEN (by a BtVS writer, no less), and the MUSIC and the CINEMATOGRAPHY and THE ACTING and a WELL-WRITTEN FEMALE CHARACTER and A GOOD VILLAIN and a AN ENTERTAINING PLOT THAT WAS NOT TOO SCARY and A SHAPESHIFTER EPISODE THAT DID NOT MAKE ME WANT TO VOMIT, how were all these things wrapped up in one episode?!?
Okay, and I’m getting super sick of Dean’s misogynistic language (seriously, does he have to call Ruby a bitch and a slut every single time he sees her? I get that seeing a demon could be triggery for him in S4, and so on a Watsonian level I’m willing to cut him a smidgen of slack, but on a Doyleist level I’m all, WHAT THE FUCK, WRITERS, COULD YOU COME UP WITH SOME MORE CREATIVE AND LESS GENDER-SPECIFIC INSULTS?), but I have to say, I really, really liked the “rehymenated” joke. I laughed. A lot. NGL
And then I immediately watched 4x06: Yellow Fever, and JENSEN ACKLES, IF YOU WEREN’T ALREADY TAKEN I’D WANT TO MARRY YOU AND HAVE YOUR BABIES. OMG, he was so funny. I’m not used to him being so comedic (Dean’s humor is usually so dry), and it was a joy to watch. Plus, he stayed in character (as much as possible given the circumstances, obvs) and never went OTT. The humor stood out even more because the rest of the episode was so sad. The way they had to trigger the ghost to get rid of him? :( I mean, clearly they had to do it, but gosh that was awful (and I’m pretty sure that fear ghost plot was also the plot of The Grudge? Haven’t seen it because, lol, contrary to what these reviews may lead you to believe, I don’t watch horror unless it has Daniel Radcliffe or is written by Joss Whedon or is entitled Scream; I mean really, one of my criteria for a good episode is ‘entertaining plot that was not too scary). And then besides the ghost’s tragic story (which reminded me a lot of Of Mice and Men) there were, you know, DEAN’S HALLUCINATIONS.
LILITH, OMG I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT. That little girl is freaky and perfect for the part, and seeing her again was all kinds of awesome (sorry, Dean, baby).
DEAN’S HALLUCINATIONS ABOUT SAM, OMG. This season is going to be fascinating for Sam isn’t it? I’m excited to see where Sam’s story goes, but I’m a little worried about how dark it’s going to get because I don’t actually like dark, hero-loses-his-way-type stories (frex, Wes’s arc? So not a fan. I know that’s blasphemy to, like, 50% of the people reading these posts. Willow’s arc in S6? In fact, most of S6? I respect Buffy’s depression arc and the real-world-sucks-too theme so, so much, but it’s not a season I rewatch very much because I have extremely low tolerance for depressing entertainment when real life is depressing enough as it is). DON’T TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT SAM’S ARC, PLEASE.
These are not proper reviews, and I realize I’ve skipped about seven episodes’ worth of reviews, which makes me sad because I honestly like writing them. I just don’t have the time these days, especially since I’m zipping along through the series. I have a desk job and a 1-hr + roundtrip commute, so when I come home I can either sit at a computer again to write reviews…or I can exercise and watch more SPN. So far, exercise + SPN is winning. I really do want to talk about the last few episodes, though- there is, you know, Cas to talk about (not really a fan so far, but I expect that will change) and Mary, and I still need to weep over Bela.
On the bright side, I could actually get through S6 by the end of the summer. How weird would that be after taking an entire year to watch only two seasons?
But anyway, I enjoyed these two episodes tonight so much that I just had to come flail about them. Can I just say that I wish I could be watching these with you guys in person and we could be flailing together? (Or rather, you have all seen them already, so I would probably be the only one flailing, and you all would be side-eying me and saying, ‘there there.’) I lovelovelove talking about SPN here with you guys (I would never have started watching this show in the first place if it weren’t for Snick), but sometimes I’m also like, why can’t my online friends occasionally come over for a sleepover and fangirl in person with me. Sorry, y’all probably think I’m weird. It’s just that I know what it’s like to flail in person about Spuffy b/c a lot of my offline friends love them, and occasionally I want to flail in person about our boys, too. If I ever win millions upon millions in the lottery, I'm totally flying out all of my best LJ friends (assuming they want to come), no matter what country they live in, for an all-expenses paid weekend of Fangirling.
Still making up a shitton of Bela/Dean fic in my brain (it’s incredibly weird because for the first time since spring 2010 I’m like, Spuffy who?), and it’s quite annoying not to know whether or not Ruby is still alive because I don’t know whether to include Ruby/Sam stuff in my post-series head!canon or not. So far I've included her (PLEASE DON’T TELL ME IF RUBY IS ALIVE OR NOT, I’M JUST GROUSING). Another reason I'm itching to finish the series is because I feel like once I do, I might actually want to write some of it? That would be bizarre.
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no subject
Date: 2012-07-06 03:29 am (UTC)I hope you like Sam's arc better than Wes/Willow/Buffy/whoever, because it's perfect.
I APPROVE OF INCLUDING RUBY/SAM IN YOUR HEADCANON \o/
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 01:45 am (UTC)Me too!
I APPROVE OF INCLUDING RUBY/SAM IN YOUR HEADCANON \o/,
:D It's funny because I don't even ship them in canon at this point, I just ship the potential. Because seriously, given their circumstances and what they are to each other, how could something not develop? And I can only assume that the chemistry from Jared and Gen's real-life relationship transferred to the screen, and I'm excited to see it.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-06 03:30 am (UTC)I had very mixed feelings about Monster Movie the first time around - I didn't think they took proper advantage of the concept. However, I have since decided it is silly cheesy fun.
But Yellow Fever? Yeah, I adored that. Adored. As you probably saw in my review.
Can I just say that I wish I could be watching these with you guys in person and we could be flailing together?
YES PLEASE. As discussed, you are welcome at my place ANY TIME to squee over SPN.
I would never have started watching this show in the first place if it weren’t for Snick
I'm pretty sure this means I win the internet.
Another reason I'm itching to finish the series is because I feel like once I do, I might actually want to write some of it?
And again I say, YES PLEASE. I would be THRILLED. As you no doubt knew.
Edited to say: I have been known to chat before, if you were interested in flailing in real time. Gchat mostly, but I also have an AIM account. So.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 02:35 am (UTC)OMG I DID NOT SEE IT, THANK YOU. I was in a hurry and turned the TV off as soon as the credits started, BUT CLEARLY THAT WAS A MISTAKE. ADFLKAJDFLAJFLKAJDLFKADJLFJ, THAT VIDEO IS PERFECT AND IS MADE OF KITTENS AND RAINBOWS AND CHRISTMAS. Oh, I like that interview, too! They're so well-spoken and charming, and oh goodness, look at Jensen in that sweater and collared shirt set that Dean would never wear. Mmm, I want him even more now.
I had very mixed feelings about Monster Movie the first time around - I didn't think they took proper advantage of the concept. However, I have since decided it is silly cheesy fun.
I haven't seen enough old B&W movies- especially cheesy mysteries- to be able to really compare it, but it fit all of the well known stereotypes well enough for me. I thought the episode would have been better served if it had had an original villain instead of a shapeshifter because the episode was a deliberate step away from the show's usual mythology, but that was my only real quibble with it; I did love the shifter's monologue to Jamie about being called a monster by his father. It was great to get a little three-dimensional backstory- and even better that the show gave him a sympathetic backstory without actually trying to make us sympathize with him (I loved Jamie's line about how he's lonely because he kills people and not the other way around).
YES PLEASE. As discussed, you are welcome at my place ANY TIME to squee over SPN.
♥ Dammit, science, why haven't you invented transporters yet?!?
I'm pretty sure this means I win the internet.
As you probably saw in my review..
There's so much about it to love! Having read your review, I didn't realize that Lilith was being literal when she said that Dean remembered Hell. I thought she meant that the memories were still in him, even if they were suppressed at the moment. I suppose I'll find out the truth soon enough...
And again I say, YES PLEASE. I would be THRILLED. As you no doubt knew.
Aw, even if it's Dean/Bela? *hugs*
I have been known to chat before, if you were interested in flailing in real time. Gchat mostly, but I also have an AIM account. So.
Oh, cool! Thanks! I see your name on my Gchat list sometimes while I'm at work (it's my manager's preferred means of communication) but I've never known whether to say hi or not (not that real time flailing and episode watching occurs during the workday). I shall keep real time flailing in mind. :)
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 07:21 pm (UTC)I KNOW. Sometimes I forget, you know, how very very pretty that man is, and then I watch an interview or something AND I REMEMBER.
I thought the episode would have been better served if it had had an original villain instead of a shapeshifter because the episode was a deliberate step away from the show's usual mythology
*nod* Actually, it occurs to me now that that ep is to SPN what Buffy vs. Dracula is to BtVS. I... don't have any productive observations to add to that, though.
EVEN DEAN/BELA, I WILL READ. I mean, it is not my ship - Bela is one of the very few semi-developed recurring female characters on this show that I never connected with - but if you write I absolutely will read. You know I will.
Figuring out chat etiquette is weird, isn't? I always end up following other people's leads. But yes, if you look me in the afternoons/evenings and would like to chat, you should totally poke me!
no subject
Date: 2012-07-09 01:13 am (UTC)I'm torn between wanting to watch more because of pretty!Jensen and grinning!Jared and wanting to stay away to preserve the integrity of the characters in my mind (frex, with BtVS, I'm almost always aware of the actors these days when I watch, seeing SMG as much as Buffy or JM as much as Spike, etc., and that doesn't worsen the viewing experience, necessarily, but it does make it different). I'll probably try to restrain myself until I finish the series and then go nuts on YouTube (and hit you up for recommendation!).
it occurs to me now that that ep is to SPN what Buffy vs. Dracula is to BtVS
Huh, that is an interesting comparison. In that case I think I'd actually have to say that SPN did the novelty!episode better. BtVS has so many more characters to deal with, and the individual stories distract from the central conceit, which becomes hokey rather than amusing. SPN had some nice character moments like Dean talking about his renewed belief in the value of his job, but attention to the atmosphere of the episode, the homage it was trying to be, was first and foremost.
I'm torn between wanting to watch more because of pretty!Jensen and grinning!Jared and wanting to stay away to preserve the integrity of the characters in my mind (frex, with BtVS, I'm almost always aware of the actors these days when I watch, seeing SMG as much as Buffy or JM as much as Spike, etc., and that doesn't worsen the viewing experience, necessarily, but it does make it different). I'll probably try to restrain myself until I finish the series and then go nuts on YouTube (and hit you up for recommendation!).
<i>it occurs to me now that that ep is to SPN what Buffy vs. Dracula is to BtVS</i>
Huh, that is an interesting comparison. In that case I think I'd actually have to say that SPN did the novelty!episode better. BtVS has so many more characters to deal with, and the individual stories distract from the central conceit, which becomes hokey rather than amusing. SPN had some nice character moments like Dean talking about his renewed belief in the value of his job, but attention to the atmosphere of the episode, the homage it was trying to be, was first and foremost.
<i<EVEN DEAN/BELA, I WILL READ.</i>
♥ ♥ ♥ That means a lot.
<i>Bela is one of the very few semi-developed recurring female characters on this show that I never connected with</i>
She is pretty difficult to relate to. I liked her more or less from the get-go simply because she could pwn Dean, which happens so rarely and especially by a female, and because I have a huge girl crush on Lauren Cohan (I think she is so, <i>so</> pretty). I was really frustrated by the lack of backstory and how the show couldn't seem to decide whether it wanted her to be an antihero or a villain, but I figured eventually they would settle on antihero, so I stayed invested (and frex, was always more excited when I saw her name in the credits rather than Ruby's). And then I found out her backstory and combined with the fact that (according to Wiki), the writers killed her off (in a horrid way no less) <i>just because fans didn't like her</i> (which was their own damn fault for not writing her consistently), I got so offended on her behalf from both a Watsonian and Doyleist perspective that she was suddenly my favorite female character. I feel like I'm cheating on Jo, but oh well...
<i>But yes, if you look me in the afternoons/evenings and would like to chat, you should totally poke me!</i>
:)
no subject
Date: 2012-07-06 05:42 am (UTC)I have kind of the opposite reaction to it. It is behavior that would make me a lot less fond of a real person, even if there were understandable reasons. But I don't necessarily have an issue with that as a writing choice. Dean has masculinity-insecurity issues the size of Montana; modern American culture being what it is, that's almost surely going to manifest as really nasty sexism. But I go back and forth on whether that's being done as a conscious deconstruction, or whether it's presented as some tongue-in-cheek boys will be boys nonsense.
RUBY/SAM. JOIN MEEEE.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 01:57 am (UTC)Oh, I'm only wiling to cut him a teensy bit of slack when he's reacting that way to demons. If he's just being sexist in general- like calling Jamie a "bar wench" in "Monster Movie"- I'm as annoyed with him as I am at the writers, if not more so (I wouldn't be that fond of him if he were a real person either, which makes me sad). And I'm rarely not annoyed at the writers because they so infrequently call him on his behavior (and even when they do deconstruct his masculine-insecurity issues, they never connect that baggage to how he treats women as an adult). They've done a mite bit better in some recent episodes at calling Dean on his behavior, I've noticed- frex, Ruby firing back "dick" at Dean multiple times and telling him not to call her a bitch; Sam explaining that Dean was being targeted by the ghost in "Yellow Fever" because he's a dick- but they don't do nearly enough for my taste.
no subject
Date: 2013-05-01 10:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-06 07:41 pm (UTC)I'm an early seasons girl, on account of my ridiculous want-Dean blind crush. But yes, these are just fun. It's odd to read Yellow Fever reviews from the time which are a bit meh; I really, really like it. Now, all we need is for you to start reading RPF and we are *set*. (Give in, you know you want to. I hated RPF and now I'm writing Gen/Jared dragon ficlets for Snick? Wtf?)
I have no RL friends to flail with about any fandom thing. BUT I do have WriterConUK that brings fannish types together here. And it is *good*. Hope you find some flail buddies.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 02:09 am (UTC)I didn't realize that you hadn't seen all of SPN either! Where are you? :)
Now, all we need is for you to start reading RPF and we are *set*. (Give in, you know you want to. I hated RPF and now I'm writing Gen/Jared dragon ficlets for Snick? Wtf?)
Heh, I've skimmed a few SPN RPF (because they were written by friends), but I'm not sure if I'll ever get involved in the fandom. It's not that I hate RPF (some variations of it gross me out, but SPN RPF deals with wild enough AU scenarios that it doesn't ping my these-are-real-people squick), but at the moment I just...have no interest in it. If that changes you guys'll be the first to know! *g*
BUT I do have WriterConUK that brings fannish types together here.
I am so upset that I didn't get to go to that! If I had lived in London for two more months I could have gone and met you all. :(
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 07:30 pm (UTC)I hated RPF and now I'm writing Gen/Jared dragon ficlets for Snick?
You know, you keep mentioning that. Is this like the Wes/Illyria mpreg thing, where you need someone to poke you into writing? Because I would be happy to poke you for more. :D
Also, I didn't realize you'd ever hated RPF! I just knew that you read J2 now.
no subject
Date: 2012-07-07 09:08 pm (UTC)Mmm, not sure. I don't think so. I don't have a lot to say about a bunch of actors in cities I've never visited, so it would have to be wild AU RPF, and I can write that any time I want, really.
I think it's more that I never expected to write RPF, or read it. I really, really don't fangirl actors as a rule. I don't read interviews, or mostly follow their careers into other series (Eliza Dushku's a minor exception there), or go to cons or want autographs or anything proper fans do. Gag reels make me retch with embarrassment. So RPF was always just a massive non-event for me. Even now, I can just tolerate knowing who's married to whom but that is *it*. They're just pretty (mmm, pretty, pretty) faces for stories.
Basically, I am becoming more shallow with age. Pretty is plenty. *g*
no subject
Date: 2012-07-08 05:06 am (UTC)I know what you mean. I very rarely do, either, and even with SPN, I feel like fangirling the actual actors is a separate activity in my brain from writing fic about them. Or maybe I'm just deluding myself. I dunno.